What was the point of the ABM treaty and SALT 1 and SALT 2?

The Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, along with the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I and SALT II), aimed to curb the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The ABM Treaty limited the development and deployment of missile defense systems, thereby reinforcing the doctrine of mutually assured destruction. SALT I and SALT II sought to place caps on the number of strategic nuclear weapons and delivery systems, promoting stability and reducing the risk of nuclear conflict. These agreements reflected a mutual desire to manage tensions and prevent escalation in the nuclear arms race.